Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the
world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to
over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a
wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history,
humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced
features available, you will need to register first. Registration is
absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

Does anyone know if there exist a book that focuses on the Aikikai testing syllabus for 5th to 1st kyu?

As mentioned before, I used to practice TKD quite a few years ago, and there I had this excellent book by master Cho Won Sup, which contained the entire syllabus for 10th to 1st kup. The book was complete with drawings/photos of techniques, poomse(kata), lots on Korean language, etc. It was a great aid when practicing alone, as well as knowing exactly what to focus on when training toward tests, and what the different techniques was called.

Does there exist any similar book on Aikido, with the Aikikai syllabus? I am thinking of lists of what to train for on each test, names of techniques, descriptions, jo-Kata's, bokken, english translations of the japanese words(hoping for Norwegian would be too far-fetched) etc. Most preferably something with a similar structure as the TKD book described above.

The book "Ultimate Aikido" by Y.Yamada shows the testing requirements from 5th kyu through early Dan grades as per the USAF East sylabus. Costs about $12 on Amazon.

A set of Video tapes (and now DVD's also) by Yamada sensei also shows the techniques for each grade. The series is entitled "Aikido:The power and the Basics" and is available through www.aikidoonline.com

The book "Ultimate Aikido" by Y.Yamada shows the testing requirements from 5th kyu through early Dan grades as per the USAF East sylabus. Costs about $12 on Amazon.

A set of Video tapes (and now DVD's also) by Yamada sensei also shows the techniques for each grade. The series is entitled "Aikido:The power and the Basics" and is available through www.aikidoonline.com

Regarding the Ultimate Aikido book, is there much difference between the standard Aikikai testing requirements and the USAF(what does this mean?) East syllabus?

I don't train under the Aikikai umbrella but as I understand it even though there may be a list of "standard" arts each instructor injects his own personality and method into them. So even if you practiced the technique as it appeared in a book the testing instructor may want it done a different way.

Bronson

"A pacifist is not really a pacifist if he is unable to make a choice between violence and non-violence. A true pacifist is able to kill or maim in the blink of an eye, but at the moment of impending destruction of the enemy he chooses non-violence."

I don't train under the Aikikai umbrella but as I understand it even though there may be a list of "standard" arts each instructor injects his own personality and method into them. So even if you practiced the technique as it appeared in a book the testing instructor may want it done a different way.

Bronson,
The variation is much wider than that. I'll just use my situation.

My dojo is a member of the Aikikai through the Takemusu Aikido Association. The TAA, as an organization, practices Iwama-style aikido and thus technically driven by the late Morihiro Saito via the "top tier" of instructors who all trained directly with Saito Sensei.

The next nearest dojo is a member of the Aikikai through the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU). Their aikido is heavily influenced by Mitsugi Saotome Sensei.

The very best shodan candidate student from my dojo would utterly fail the test at their dojo. Likewise, the very best shodan candidate student from their dojo would utterly fail at my dojo.

Despite striving toward the same end goal, the pedagogical methods are just that different.

"A pacifist is not really a pacifist if he is unable to make a choice between violence and non-violence. A true pacifist is able to kill or maim in the blink of an eye, but at the moment of impending destruction of the enemy he chooses non-violence."

Personally, I am of the opinion that Doshu Morteru Ueshiba is the head figure of Aikikai. Yes, there are various shihan and instructors with variations, and that is fine. BUT... given the question was directed toward Aikikai, I'm surprised no one mentioned "Best Aikido: The Fundementals" and "Best Aikido 2: The Aikido Master Course" both written or co-written by Doshu.

These books don't necesscarily go into kyu grading requirements, as every organization is different. However, these books explain and illistrate aikido techniques in a very excellent way and are very through.

Your instructors may have something different. Always refer to them. I do like to learn as much as possible to be as prepared as I can be for any test. That last link... if you are ready for those requirements, you should be good to go. But again, always consult your sensei. It will be He/She who is testing you when it all boils down to the end.

The requirements that Jun listed are written in the book, Aikido Kihan, which was translated and became Best Aikido. I think that it is telling that Honbu decided not to list the test requirements in the English (ie. international) version. For me, the differences Aikikai Honbu places between Japan and elsewhere is an interesting subject.